Combination applicator brush and dispenser



Jan. 11, 1966 w T. s. PARRISH 3,223,057

COMBINATION APPLICATOR BRUSH AND DISPENSER Filed March 9. 1964 czzmwi aim ATTORN EY United States Patent 3,228,057 COMBINATION APPLICATOR BRUSH AND DISFENSER Theodore S. Parrish, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor of forty percent to Waiter B. Sprague, AIdSIBY, Pa. Filed Mar. 9, 1964, Ser. No. 350,453 9 Claims. (Cl. 115-552) This invention relates generally to fiuid-applicating devices, and is especially concerned with a unique applicator-brush construction.

While the device of the present invention has been primarily developed for use in applying shaving cream, and will be illustrated and described hereinafter with particular reference thereto, it is appreciated that the teachings of the instant invention are equally applicable for utilization in many various environments, all of which are intended to be comprehended herein. By way of illustration and without limiting intent, the instant invention may be employed as a toothpaste-dispensing toothbrush, paintdispensing paintbrush, a fabric-cleaner dispensing brush, and many others.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a highly improved construction of liquid-dispensing brush, wherein the brush is indefinitely reusable in conjunction with replaceable containers of liquid to achieve maximum economy and ease of use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination applicator brush and dispenser of the type described which is extremely simple in construction, capable of economic mass production for sale at a reasonable price, and which is durable and reliable throughout a long useful life.

Other objects of the present invention will become ap parent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a combination applicator brush and applicator constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention with the brush unit and supply vessel separated from each other;

FIGURE 2 is a partial, longitudinal sectional view of the device shown in FIGURE 1, somewhat enlarged;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view sim lar to FIGURE 2, but with the brush unit and supply vessel connected together;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the line 44 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURE 1 thereof, a brush unit is there generally designated and includes a brush body 11 and brush bristles 12 projecting from the brush body. For use in conjunction with the brush unit 10 is a supply unit 15 including a vessel 16 adapted to contain a liquid to be dispensed and applied. The brush unit 10 and supply unit 15 are adapted for detachable connection together, as will appear hereinafter in greater detail.

As best seen in FIGURE 2, the supply vessel 16 may be of elongate configuration convenient for manual grasping and having a flat bottom 17 to sustain itself in standing or upright condition.

Secured in the upper end of the vessel 16 is a fitment 3,228,057 Patented Jan. 11, 1966 18 having a wall 19 extending across the upper end of the vessel and provided with a central opening 20. Upstanding from the wall 19 and extending peripherally thereabout is a generally circular wall 21 having internal screw threads 22 to define a coupling element, as will appear hereinafter.

Located in spaced relation Within the wall 21 is a generally cylindrical body 24 having a central through bore or passageway 25. The body 24 may include a central depending projection 26 extending through the wall opening 20, and a central upstanding projection 27, both of which projections serve to extend the length of passageway 25. A cover or case 28 may be conformably engaged over the body 24 and secured to the wall 19 for retaining the body in position on the wall. The cover 28 may have a central opening receiving the upstanding projection 27.

Extending radially inward from one side of the body 24, the left-hand side as seen in FIGURES 2-4, is a bore 30 which intersects with and extends somewhat beyond the passageway 25. The radially outer end of the bore 30 may be enlarged and internally threaded, as at 31. An elongate closure member 32 is disposed slidably in the bore 30, normally extending across the passageway 25 to obstruct and close the latter. Suitable spring means, such as a coil compression spring 33 may be inserted in the bore 30 against the closure 32 and held in the bore by a threaded plug 34 screwed into the enlarged boreend portion 31. Thus, the closure 32 is resiliently urged by spring 33 toward a closed position extending across passageway 25 The upper surface of the closure 32 located in the passageway 25, as in the condition of FIGURE 2, may advantageously be beveled, as at 35 to decline in the direction away from spring 33. The bevel 35 thus provides a cam surface facing generally upward through the passageway 25 and engageable by a projection extending downward into the passageway for sliding the closure 32 leftward to an open position out of the passageway.

Extending downward from the depending projection 26 of body 24, and in alignment with the passageway 25 is a dip tube 38. The dip tube may depend to a lower region of the vessel 16, as seen in FIGURE 3, and may be fixed in position by a cap 39 surrounding the dip tube and secured to the undeside of wall 19. A seal 40 may be provided where the dip tube 38 passes through the cap 39.

Interiorly of the vessel 16 may be contained a liquid or fluid 41 and a propellant or gas 42. The gas 42 may serve to propel the liquid 41 in the conventional manner of aerosol containers.

The body 11 of the brush unit 10 may be of generally cylindrical configuration having an upper side 45 provided with an upstanding circumferential wall 46 within which are secured the lower ends of brush bristles 12. Depending from the underside 47 of body 11 and extending circumferentially thereabout is a generally cylindrical wall 48 having external screw threads 49. The wall 48 and its threads 49 are configured for complementary interengagement with the wall 21 and its threads 22. Thus, the upstanding wall 21 and depending wall 48 serve as complementary coupling elements for detachably securing together the brush unit 10 and supply unit 15.

The generally cylindrical body 11 is formed with a central passageway 50 opening upward through the upper side 45 and downward through the underside 47. The lower end of passageway 50, opening downward through lower side 47, may be enlarged and internally threaded, as at 51. Inserted upwardly into the lower end 51 of passageway 50 is the upper end of an open-ended tubular nipple 52. The nipple 52 may be provided with an enlarged upper-end portion 53 inserted in threaded engagement in the lower passageway portion 51 such that the nipple 52 is in alignment and direct communication with the passageway 50. The lower end of nipple 52 depends considerably below surface 47 and may depend beyond the lower edge of wall 48.

Extending radially inward from one side of the body 11, the left-hand side as seen in FIGURES 2, 3 and 5, is a bore 55. The radially outer end of bore 55 may be enlarged and internally threaded, as at 56, while the inner end of bore 55 intersects with the passageway 50, extending across and slightly beyond the latter to an end wall 57. An additional bore of reduced section extends in alignment with the bore 55 from the end wall thereof 57, as at 58 and communicates with a relatively large bore or recess 59 opening radially outward from the body 11 diametrically opposite to the enlarged bore portion 56.

An elongate valve element 60 is disposed slidably in the bore 55 and normally spring biased to a closed position as shown in FIGURE 2 extending across the passageway 50. Thus, the valve element 60 is normally maintained in engagement with the bore end wall 57 by a spring 61 interposed between the radially outer end of the valve element and a plug 62 threaded into the enlarged bore-end portion 56.

From the inner end of the valve element 60 there projects a reduced extension or stem 63 which passes slidably through the reduced bore portion 58 and into the enlarged recess 59. The stem 63 may be integral with or otherwise fixedly secured to the valve element 60 for longitudinal movement therewith. Within the recess 59 and fixed to the outer end of stem 63 is a button 64. The button 64 may include an enlarged inner portion 65 slidable in the recess 59 and an outer portion projecting radially beyond the body 11. A retainer ring 66 may be engaged in the outer portion of recess 59 to limit the outward movement of button 64 to a position with the valve element 60 extending across and closing the passageway 50.

It will now be appreciated that spring 61 normally biases the valve element 60 to its closed position and projects the button 64 externally of the body 11. The button 64 may be manually actuated by depression thereof to shift the valve element 60 out of the passageway 50, leaving only the reduced stem 63 extending across the passageway and only partially obstructing the latter to permit passage therethrough of fluid.

In use, the brush unit is assembled with the supply unit by insertion of the free end of nipple 52 into the upper end of passageway and subsequent relative rotation of the units to effect threaded engagement of coupling elements 21 and 48.

In assuming this condition, as illustrated in FIGURE 3, the nipple 52 engages the cam surface of closure 32 and shifts the latter out of the passageway 25 to open the passageway. Thus, fluid communication is established from the interior of vessel 16 through dip tube 38 and nipple 52 in passageway 25 to valve element in passageway 50 For dispensing and application of the fluid contents 41, it is then only necessary to depress button 64, as required, to open the passageway 50 and deliver contents to the brush 12. Thus, the passageway 25 of vessel 16 provides an outlet for the contents of the vessel, which outlet communicates with passageway 50 for delivering contents to the brush 12.

When the contents of vessel 16 are depleted, it is only necessary to detach the supply unit 15 from the brush unit 10 by relative rotation to unscrew the threaded coupling elements 21 and 48. Withdrawal of nipple 52 from passageway 25 effects closure of the latter passageway by permitting return of closure member 32, so that the supply unit 15 may be safely discarded. The brush unit 10 is then ready for connection to a fresh or full supply unit 15.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present inven tion provides a combination applicator brush and dispenser which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination applicator brush and dispenser comprising a vessel for containing liquid under pressure, said vessel having an outlet passageway, a spring-biased closure slidably mounted in said vessel extending transversely across said passageway to close the latter and yieldably shiftable out of said passageway to open the same, a coupling element on said vessel adjacent to said passageway, a brush-mounting body having a through-delivery passageway, selectively openable valve means in said body normally closing said delivery passageway, a nipple communicating with one end of said delivery passageway and projecting from said body for engagement in said outlet passageway to shift said closure to its open position, a complementary coupling element on said body for detachable connection to said first-mentioned coupling element to retain said nipple in said outlet passageway, and a brush connected with the other end of said delivery passageway and projecting from said body, whereby liquid under pressure is adapted to be selectively transmitted from said vessel through said delivery passageway to said brush upon actuation of said valve means.

2. A combination applicator brush and dispenser according to claim 1, said valve means comprising a valve element in said body extending slidably across and closing said delivery passageway, spring means engaging one end of said valve element and yieldably holding the latter in closed position, a reduced stern extending from the other end of said valve element for movement therewith, and actuating means externally of said body and connected to said stem for sliding said valve element to an open position out of said passageway against the force of said spring means.

3. A combination applicator brush and dispenser according to claim 1, said closure having a cam surface engageable to shift said closure to its open position, and said nipple being engageable with said cam surface to shift said closure.

4. A combination applicator brush and dispenser according to claim 1, said first-mentioned coup-ling element and said complementary coupling element respectively surrounding said outlet passageway and nipple for releasably retaining the latter engaged in the former.

5. A combination applicator brush and dispenser comprising a vessel for containing a liquid under pressure, said vessel having an outlet passageway, a spring-biased closure slidably mounted in said vessel normally extending transversely across said passageway to close the latter and yieldably shiftable out of said passageway to open the same, said closure having a cam surface normally disposed in said passageway and engageable to shift the closure to its open position, a coupling element on said vessel adjacent to said passageway, a brush-mounting body having a through-delivery passageway, a valve element in said body extending slidably across and normally closing said delivery passageway, spring means engaging one end of said valve element and yieldably urging the latter to its closed position, a reduced stem extending from the other .end of said valve element for movement therewith, actuating means externally of said body and connected to said stem for sliding said valve element to an open position out of said delivery passageway against the force of said spring means, a nipple communicating with one end of said delivery passageway and projecting from said body for engagement in said outlet passageway to open the latter by engagement with said closure cam surface, a complementary coupling element on said body for detachable connection to said first-mentioned coupling element to retain said nipple in said outlet passageway, and a brush communicating with the other end of said delivery passageway and projecting from said body, whereby liquid under pressure is adapted to be selectively transmitted from said vessel through said delivery passageway to said brush upon actuation of said valve element.

6. A combination applicator brush and dispenser comprising a vessel for containing liquid under pressure, said vessel having an outlet passageway, a spring-biased closure slidably mounted in said vessel normally extending transversely across said passageway to close the latter and yieldably shiftable out of said passageway to open the same, a threaded coupling element on said vessel surrounding said outlet passageway, a brush-mounting body having a through-delivery passageway, selectively openable valve means in said body normally closing said delivery passageway, a nipple communicating with one end of said delivery passageway and projecting from said body for engagement in said outlet passageway to open th latter, a complementary threaded coupling element on said body surrounding said nipple for detachable connection to said first-mentioned coupling element to retain said nipple in said outlet passageway, and a brush communicating with the other end of said delivery passageway and projecting from said body, whereby liquid under pressure is adapted to be selectively transmitted from said vessel through said delivery passageway to said brush upon actuation of said valve means.

7. A combination applicator brush and dispenser comprising a vessel for containing liquid under pressure, said vessel having an outlet passageway, a spring-biased closure slidably mounted in said vessel extending transversely across said passageway to close the latter and yieldably shiftable out of said passageway to open the same, a cam surface on said closure engageable to shift the latter out of said passageway, a threaded coupling element on said vessel surrounding said passageway, a brush-mounting body having a through-delivery passageway, selectively openable valve means in said body normally closing said delivery passageway, a nipple communicating with one end of said delivery passageway and projecting from said body for engagement in said outlet passageway to open the latter, a complementary threaded coupling element on said body surrounding said nipple for detachable connection to said first-mentioned coupling element to retain said nipple in said outlet passageway, and a brush communicating with the other end of said delivery passageway and projecting from said body, whereby liquid under pressure is adapted to be selectively transmitted from said vessel through said delivery passageway to said brush upon actuation of said valve means.

8. A combination applicator brush and dispenser comprising a vessel for containing liquid under pressure, said vessel having an outlet passageway, a spring-biased closure slidably mounted in said vessel normally extending transversely across said passageway to close the latter, said closure having a cam surface normally disposed in said passageway facing generally outwardly therethrough and engageable to retract said closure out of the passageway to open the same, a screw thread on said vessel surrounding said outlet passageway, a brush-mounting body having a through-delivery passageway, 21 valve element in said body extending slidably across and closing said delivery passageway, spring means in said body engaging one end of said valve element and yieldably holding the latter in position closing said delivery passageway, a reduced stem extending from the other end of said valve element for movement therewith, actuating means externally of said body and connected to said stem for sliding said valve element to an open position out of said delivery passageway against the force of said spring means, a nipple communicating with one end of said delivery passageway and projecting from said body, said nipple being insertable into said outlet passageway for opening engagement with said cam surface, a complementary screw thread surrounding said nipple and interengageable with said firstmentioned screw thread to releasably retain said nipple in said outlet passageway, and a brush communicating with the other end of said delivery passageway and projecting from said body, whereby liquid under pressure is adapted to be selectively transmitted from said vessel and through said delivery passageway to said brush upon actuation of said valve means.

9. A combination applicator brush and dispenser comprising a vessel for containing liquid under pressure, said vessel having a fluid outlet passageway, a spring-biased closure mounted in said vessel passageway in closing relation thereto and resiliently shiftable transversely out of said closing relation, a threaded coupling element on said vessel surrounding said outlet passageway, 21 brush-mounting body having a thru fluid delivery passageway for interfitting end to end engagement and fluid communication with said outlet passageway, a complementary threaded coupling element on said brush-mounting body removably engageable with said first-mentioned threaded coupling element for removably connecting said brush-mounting body to said vessel with said thmi delivery passageway in interfitting engagement and communication with said vessel outlet passageway, a brush projecting from said body and communicating with said delivery passageway, and valve-actuating means mounted on said body and operatively connected to open and close communication through said vessel outlet passageway and body delivery passageway.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COMBINATION APPLICATOR BRUSH AND DISPENSER COMPRISING A VESSEL FOR CONTAINING LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE, SAID VESSEL HAVING AN OUTLET PASSAGEWAY, A SPRING-BIASED CLOSURE SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN SAID VESSEL EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY ACROSS SAID PASSAGEWAY TO CLOSE THE LATTER AND YIELDABLY SHIFTABLE OUT OF SAID PASSAGEWAY TO OPEN THE SAME, A COUPLING ELEMENT ON SAID VESSEL ADJACENT TO SAID PASSAGEWAY, A BRUSH-MOUNTING BODY HAVING A THROUGH-DELIVERY PASSAGEWAY, SELECTIVELY OPENABLE VALVE MEANS IN SAID BODY NORMALLY CLOSING SAID DELIVERY PASSAGEWAY, A NIPPLE COMMUNICATING WITH ONE END OF SAID DELIVERY PASSAGEWAY AND PROJECTING FROM SAID BODY FOR ENGAGEMENT IN SAID OUTLET PASSAGEWAY TO SHIFT SAID CLOSURE TO ITS OPEN POSITION, A COMPLEMENTARY COUPLING ELEMENT ON SAID BODY FOR DETACHABLE CONNECTION TO SAID FIRST-MENTIONED COUPLING ELEMENT TO RETAIN SAID NIPPLE IN SAID OUTLET PASSAGEWAY, AND A BRUSH CONNECTED WITH THE OTHER END OF SAID DELIVERY PASSAGEWAY AND PROJECTING FROM SAID BODY, WHEREBY LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE IS ADAPTED TO BE SELECTIVELY TRANSMITTED FROM SAID VESSEL THROUGH SAID DELIVERY TRANSMITTED BRUSH UPON ACTUATION OF SAID VALVE MEANS. 